2012 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 226 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
226 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, May 18, 2019
HIGH BEAM LIGHTS BLINK/FLASH WHEN BREAKING LOW BEAM LIGHTS DIM WHEN BREAKING INSTRUMENT LIGHTS DIM SLIGHTLY WHEN BREAKING WITH BOTH CONDITIONS MENTIONED
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 7, 2019
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS ON AND PUTTING ON BRAKES OR SLOWING DOWN, HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS FLICKER AND DIM NOTICEABLY
Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2019
UPON DOWNSHIFTING OR BRAKING FROM NORMAL DRIVING SPEED THE 2012 MAZDA3 I HEADLIGHTS FLICKER LIKE A STROBE LIGHT CREATING DISTRACTION FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS. MAZDA HAS NO RECALLS ON A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR PDM TO EASILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS ONLY OCCURRING ON SKYACTIVE MODELS
Steering, Apr 22, 2019
STEERING GETS REALLY STIFF WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN SPEED IS LESS THAN 5MPH.
Seat belts, Feb 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NELSON MAZDA MURFREESBORO (1214 FORTRESS BLVD, MURFREESBORO, TN 37128) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2019
WHEN DRIVING THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER/DIM WHEN I TOUCH THE BRAKES. I AM DRIVING BACK ROADS AND HIGHWAY. NIGHT TIME WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. HAPPENS PRETTY CONSISTENTLY AND IS DISTRACTING AND GREATLY REDUCES MY VIEW OF THE ROAD!! HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST 4 MONTHS. REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AOXMOOR MAZDA (7913 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SOFTWARE MALFUNCTION. THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WAS UPDATED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNSPECIFIED SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JENKINS MAZDA OF OCALA (352-815-2425, LOCATED AT 1740 SW COLLEGE RD, OCALA, FL 34471) WHERE THE FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE WERE REPLACED. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED SIX MOTHS LATER. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE LEAKED FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE TRANSMISSION AXLE. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OFFERED TO PROVIDE A DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE COST OF A NEW VEHICLE. THE OFFER WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,740.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 23, 2019
CODE U0101 DESCRIPTION LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CODE SCAN DASHBOARD LIGHT
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 31, 2018
FUEL FILLER LINE LEAK. WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL FUEL LEAKS FROM SMALL WHOLE IN LINE THAT GOES INTO GAS TANK. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS WHERE THE LINE IS WELDED TO GAS TANK HAS BROKEN THE MAZDA SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THAT MAZDA WILL FIX, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE 2013 MODELS, SO IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO A 2012 MODEL WHY IT NOT BE REPAIRED BY MAXDA?
Seats, Dec 11, 2018
THE LINK CONNECTING THE FRONT LEFT OF THE SEAT SHEARED OFF. IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE RECALL FOR THE 2011 MODELS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2018
WHEN DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER SEVERELY ANYTIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. AT NIGHT, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M FLASHING MY LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES, ANY ROADWAY. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AFTER FINDING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SB-01-019-13). THE ISSUE WAS FIXED FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT HAS RETURNED.
Power train, Dec 3, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS SLIPPED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN ANY GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM WARRANTY CAMPAIGN BULLETIN NUMBER: O5-OO8/16 DUE TO BEING UNDER MILEAGE; HOWEVER, THE STATUTE FOR THE DATE TO RECEIVE SERVICE WAS ALSO EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYERS MAZDA (2455 BILLINGSLEY RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235, (614) 792-2455) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2018
DASHBOARD PEELING OFF
Suspension, Nov 15, 2018
THE REAR SHOCKS HAVE AN UPPER ATTACHMENT THAT IS MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM. AFTER ONLY 49000 MILES THE SHOCK MOUNT CORRODED AND BROKE. IT ALSO CAUSED THE SHOCK ROD TO BEND.
Seats, Sep 21, 2018
AS I WAS ENTERING MY VEHICLE ON A SATURDAY MORNING A METAL PIECE UNDER THE SEAT SNAPPED. THE SEAT WAS NO LONGER STABLE AND I BROUGHT IT TO A MAZDA DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO INSPECT THE ISSUE. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH THE PART NUMBER FOR THE BROKEN PART IN MY VEHICLE. THAT PART NUMBER, BBM4-88-H50A, IS THE SAME ON ALL MAZDA3S FROM 2010-2012. IT IS ALSO THE SAME PART THAT WAS RECALLED ON 2010-2011 MAZDA3S BUT NOT THE 2012 MODEL. THIS PART SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE RECALLED ON 2012 MODELS SINCE IT IS THE SAME PART AND I AM EVIDENCE THAT THE PART WAS STILL FAULTY ON THE 2012 MODELS. I HAVE ATTACHED 4 PIECES OF EVIDENCE THAT SHOW PROOF OF THE INSPECTION, THE PART THAT WAS BROKEN, THE FACT THAT THE PART WAS THE SAME FROM 2010-2012 MODELS, AND THE NHTSA DOCUMENT SHOWING THE RECALL OF THAT PART. I AM NOT A LARGE PERSON, ~145 LBS, AND THERE IS NO REASON A METAL PIECE HOLDING MY SEAT IN PLACE SHOULD HAVE SNAPPED IN TWO.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREEN MAZDA (217-391-2400, LOCATED AT 3760 S 6TH ST, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CHARCOAL CANISTER FILTER WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000.
Engine, Aug 23, 2018
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED AT 38,000 MILES CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND WOULDN'T RESTART.
Engine, Aug 22, 2018
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VARIABLE VALVE TIMING SYSTEM CAUSING REDUCED ACCELERATION PERFORMANCE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. THIS PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE RECALL ON MAZDA3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 2011 AND NOVEMBER 2011. THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND A VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR-ENDED MY VEHICLE. FOR SOME REASON MAZDA IS NOT RECOGNISING THE RECALL ON LATER MODELS AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE. MAZDA RECALL REFERENCE IS 6511K. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER ADDITIONAL VINS
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 13, 2018
EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS FUELED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I HAVE CLICKED THE FUEL CAP SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE CAP REPLACED. THERE IS AN EVAP CODE SHOWING. THE CAR CANNOT PASS ANY STATE INSPECTION
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 6, 2018
I PURCHASED MY 2012 MAZDA 3 ONE YEAR AGO (2017). I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER OWNING MY CAR. I TURNED ON MY AIR CONDITIONER AT FIRST LOW, THEN ALL THE WAY UP, IT FELT SLIGHTLY COOL, BUT ONLY AS IF MY FANS WERE BLOWING AND NOWHERE NEAR WHAT AN AIR CONDITIONER SHOULD PROPERLY FEEL LIKE. THIS WAS AFTER LETTING THE CAR WARM UP, AND DRIVING ON BACK ROADS OR HIGHWAYS AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND THE TECHNICIAN HAD SOME TROUBLE FIGURING OUT HOW TO FIX IT. THE AC COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, AND YET I AM STILL NOW DEALING WITH A CAR THAT WILL NOT BLOW COLD AIR! ONLY SEMI COOL ON THE HIGHEST FAN SETTING ! ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING AND HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS WELL OR FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS DRIVING AS WELL AS IT DOES WITHOUT NEEDING THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. MY CAR REALLY FEELS LIKE IT IS WORKING EXTRA HARD TO PUT OUT SEMI COOL AIR. I HAVE HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER CHECKED AGAIN AND IT SAYS ITS NOT AS COOL AS IT SHOULD BE. I NEED A RESOLUTION TO THIS PLEASE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A WINDING ROAD WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND AND THEN COMPLETELY STALLED. PROR TO IT STALLING, IT WAS ACTING STRANGE, WOULD REV HIGH AND NOT KICK IN TO THE NEXT GEAR (NOT SURE IF THAT'S A CORRECT DESCRIPTION AS THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC CAR). THREE LIGHTS CAME ON: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXILE LIGHT AND TCS/DSC INDICATOR LIGHT. IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SMALL AUTO SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A COMPUTER CODE ISSUE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO MAZDA WHO COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE GOOD POWER, ESPECIALLY ON INCLINES. IT SEEMS TO SHAKE AT TIMES AND RUNS ROUGH AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE PRIOR TO THE STALLING INCIDENT. I BELIEVE IT IS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE BUT SINCE MAZDA COULDN'T DIAGNOSE IT, I'M NOT SURE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 27, 2018
HEADLIGHTS PULSATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. IT IS A SOFTWARE ISSUE INVOLVING THE ALTERNATOR AND RE-CALIBRATING THE PCM. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU BRAKE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.
Suspension, Feb 28, 2018
TOLD BY MAZDA TECHNICIAN THAT RIGHT REAR SWAY BAR LINK IS DEFECTIVE- FAILING, AND CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54K MILES ON IT, NOTICED THE NOISE AROUND 52K MILES
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2018
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS 2012-2013 MAZDA3 VEHICLES (WITH SKYACTIV-G 2.0L AND HALOGEN TYPE HEADLIGHTS)